Alexis Arellano ’27 is a first year Varsity member on the Redwood Tennis team. She recently got pulled up to the Varsity team to play in the playoffs.
By: Mikayla Williamson
Alexis Arellano, ‘27 is a new addition to the Varsity Girls Tennis team, but not new to the sport. She has been playing since she was six years old and just started taking it serious this year.
“I started playing when I was six, it was for fun up until this year.”
Arellano has been on JV (Junior Varsity) for the majority of the season. “I was on JV as #1 for mostly the whole season so I was happy when I found out I would be moving up to Varsity because I didn’t really want to be on JV since I already knew all the girls on Varsity and I got along with them all.”
Right before the playoffs she got pulled up to Varsity to play. The playoffs took place October 24th through the 31st, then Area took place on November 3rd and 4th.
Arellano played in the playoffs and Area, but lost to Redwood in Area.
“I lost to someone on my own team, they put me against Redwood so I had to play one of my teammates which definitely was different than normal matches” Arellano says.
When asked what the difference between a normal season match and a playoff/Area match, Arellano says, “There’s a difference between going into matches in our regular season versus playoff matches. There’s more pressure in playoffs because these games actually count towards something so it’s kind of scary.”
Having an inspiration or a motivator is a big thing when it comes to playing a sport. Arellano’s biggest motivator before a match is her fellow teammate, Martina Cabrera, ’26.
Cabrera is Arellano’s doubles partner. They’ve been partners since Arellano got pulled up to play with Varsity so Cabrera has had many opportunities to make an impact on Arellano.
“Lexi is so fun to be around, and I’m kinda surprised that she said that I was her biggest motivator before a match. I guess it makes sense though because we’ve been doubles partners for awhile,” Cabrera says.
Cabrera says that she tries “to give Alexis words of encouragement and support before a match.”
Coach Aubrey Buchanan had some positive things to say about Arellano as well.
“Alexis is her own goofy spirit. I admire that she is apologetically herself and effortlessly makes others smile. She is the first to break the ice during a quiet moment and is loved by all on the team.”
When asked what Arellano has improved on overall, from the start of the season to the end, Buchanan said, “Her tennis game has drastically improved throughout the season. If she continues to improve at the rate she is going, she is going to be a weapon for the team in the near future.”
Mikayla Williamson
Mikayla Williamson '25 is a second year member of the Redwood Gigantea. She is a new photographer learning the ropes of photography but also writes for the sports column. Mikayla is on the Redwood track team. You can reach her by email at: mikay.wi4026@vusd.us
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